WTSP.com Photo Gallery

Anti-GOP protesters confront Westboro Baptist Church

A group of anti-GOP protesters clashed outside of the Republican National Convention with a group of Kansas-based church members who often picket soldiers' funerals.

Tampa police said on its Twitter feed that officers in riot gear separated the two groups for safety reasons on Tuesday.

The anti-GOP protesters marched from a makeshift camp - dubbed "Romneyville" - towards the official protest zone created by the city. Along the way, that group clashed with members of the Westboro Baptist Church, which had been protesting homosexuality.

After about 20 minutes, the half-dozen Westboro church members retreated from the protest area under police escort.